The Genies prevent static electricity build up in the bobbin and prevents the bobbin thread bunching up. One plus is that I have noticed a big reduction of lint build up in my bobbin area since using these. Here is a video about them: I think I paid about $8 for package which will probably last me a year.

Wow. Never realized static electricity way building up there. I'm going to get some from her site. Thanks.

04-13-2009, 09:14 AM

BellaBoo

I love these things! I didn't have one in my bobbin and my thread kept snagging up at the beginning of my seam, nothing major just annoying. I didn't realize what was the problem until I had to refill the bobbin. I use them in my Brother high speed straight stitch and my Featherweight.

02-10-2010, 05:54 PM

stashblaster

I thought I would bring up this old thread because I just learned about this product. My quilting buddy showed this to me last night. She bought a new machine and it has a horizontal bobbin vs the vertical bobbin in her Bernina. She has been having issues with stitching backwards. Now she is quite an accomplished quilter (wins at Houston) so it seems to be the new machine. She gave me one to try for my Viking D1. I've had the machine for two years now and just can't get the FM right with the machine. I'm anxious to give this little teflon washer a try.

I'm wondering a few things. Do these wear out? Why do they come 10 to a package? Is it because most people lose them? What about using these for regular sewing and for machine embroidery? I'm wondering if I can just drop it in the bobbin case and forget about it.

02-10-2010, 10:16 PM

BellaBoo

I put one in every machine I own. Singer, Janome, Brother, some new some old. They do get thin after a while but it takes a lot of sewing. They sure are easy to get misplaced when changing a bobbin. I bought the package last March and haven't used them all yet.

02-10-2010, 10:45 PM

dgmoby

I know when using in a longarm, they become worn around the edges, and I have to replace it. You can try giving them a 'haircut' once, but that's about all. A drop of oil on the inside will keep them working a tad longer...and yes, that's why they come in packages of 10 - they don't last forever :) But they do last for a long time.

Since I bought the first (and only) package, I've learned that if you will adjust the bobbin backlash spring (found on the flat side of the bobbin) it pushes out your bobbin just a tad, and that stops any problems.

It's not the static so much, it is the backlash that is occurring and causing a problem. The bobbin over-rotates backward when coming to a stop, rather than just stopping, causing a build up of thread. I suppose there could be some static created in this process, but it's really the backlash that is usually the problem. The extra depth of the bobbin genie pushes the bobbin out just enough, when placed inside the machine, for the bobbin to stop correctly. Once you adjust the backlash screw, the bobbin will stop when it's supposed to, and the problem is solved. That's why that screw is there. It's another tension adjust on the bobbin that most people aren't aware of.

Once I adjusted the backlash screw, it solved my problems. Just turn 5 minutes worth, then test, and keep doing until it's perfect stitches. Done!

And for a new machine - take that baby back to the dealer and have them adjust it! You shouldn't be having any problems with it.

Just my thoughts...

02-11-2010, 04:16 AM

katier825

I was just looking up the Bobbin Genie in Google and found this interesting article. As long as I'm getting good stitches, I think I'll pass on the Bobbin Genie for now. :)

No where on my package or instructions does it say to remove the bobbin spring. Odd. I just know I don't have backlash or bird nests when I free motion quilt if I have a genie in the bobbin. I'm using the regular machine not a long arm.